OPALCO offices to close for safety; Business Open - contact by telephone or email to prevent viral spread

OPALCO is closing its offices to the public on Monday, March 16, 2020 in order to help keep co-op staff healthy and our system running smoothly. All business services are available by telephone and online.

“We are open for business,” said General Manger Foster Hildreth. “We have a responsibility to protect our staff so that they can keep the lights on for the membership. We’re doing our part to keep essential infrastructure running and our membership safe as we wait out this pandemic.”

Staff will continue to work with social distancing practices in place. OPALCO has a Pandemic Business Plan in place to ensure continued operations and coordination with county and state health organizations.

OPALCO canceled public gatherings during the containment phase of Covid-19 including the annual meeting on the ferry and candidate forums. Board meetings will continue as scheduled but board members will participate remotely. Members can send their questions or comments for the Board in advance of each meeting to communications@opalco.com.

Hildreth encourages OPALCO members to sign up for AutoPay or pay bills online through SmartHub. Members whose livelihoods are affected by the pandemic may be eligible for bill pay assistance through Energy Assist (bill credit every month) or Project PAL (one-time grant). Apply online: www.opalco.com/energyassist or contact your family resource center.

Orcas Power & Light Cooperative (OPALCO) is our member-owned cooperative electric utility, serving more than 11,400 members on 20 islands in San Juan County. OPALCO provides electricity that is 97% greenhouse-gas free and is generated predominantly by hydroelectric plants. OPALCO was founded in 1937. Follow OPALCO @OrcasPower on Facebook and Twitter.